Our Writers Pick Who to Catch at Tramlines 2025

Photography by Matt Higgs

Tramlines continues to deliver in a big way on their lineups, with 2025 bound to hold a special place in the hearts of Sheffielders and be remembered for years to come. Away from the Main Stage headliners, there's plenty to enjoy so we thought we would share our team's most anticipated acts, as we do each year. Have a read below for who our team is most excited to catch at this year's festival.

Soph - Rizzle Kicks

T'Other Stage, Saturday

Growing up as a teen in the 2010s, Rizzle Kicks soundtracked those teenage years for me and millions of others. I had their debut album on CD and played it constantly - Miss Cigarette always comes to mind when I think back on it. If you would have asked me a few years ago, out of any artist in the world, who would I like to see make a comeback during the comeback season we seem to be in, Rizzle Kicks would always be my top answer. As I'm sure we know, comebacks don't always turn out how you wish, however Rizzle Kicks have managed to capture the sound and energy I remember them having, but merged it with something that feels fresh and exciting for the current day. This will be the first time I'll have seen them live since 2013 so I was so excited to see their name announced on the lineup this year. I'm sure the tent will be heaving though so make sure you do everything you can not to miss it. They'll have a great time, we'll have a great time and it has the potential to go down in Tramlines history.

Matt - The Royston Club

The Leadmill Stage, Sunday

One of the most exciting new bands to emerge in recent years, The Royston Club will headline The Leadmill Stage to close the stage's offering for 2025. With their infectious singalong hits, the top tent is guaranteed to full to bursting and full of energy for their set. Tramlines has a knack for securing some of the most exciting up and coming talent from across the UK and The Leadmill, as we all know, offers artists with a much needed platform to showcase their brilliance. The Royston Club are worthy stage headliners, and are sure to have main stage headlining sets in their future. For now though, on the back of announcing their much-anticipated second album, and a tour with a Sheffield stop, The Royston Club are ready to bring down The Leadmill Tent in 2025.

Meisha - FEMUR

Sarah Nulty's Main Stage, Friday

If you’re a follower of the Sheffield music scene then you’ve surely come across Sheffield’s own psychedelic punk band, Femur. Femur are a grungy, slightly doom-y four-piece band with a very unique acid punk sound. Their shows are always guaranteed to be high energy, chaotic and very loud! This year they’re taking the festival scene by storm, kicking it off at the iconic Glastonbury Festival, before gracing little old Sheff with their presence at Tramlines and Rock N Roll Circus. They’ll be hitting Sarah Nulty’s Main Stage on Friday for a day curated by Sheffield rock legends Pulp, so check them out if like me, you’re a fan of the more experimental and trippy songs by Pink Floyd or The Doors, or you love a good mosh. 

Maisie - CMAT

T'Other Stage, Sunday

Irish singer and songwriter, CMAT is heading to Tramlines this year and I could not be more excited! If you are attending the festival on the Sunday, she is absolutely one to watch. Her eclectic discography tackles difficult topics with grace and humour, sharing personal experiences in the form of absolute bops. CMAT is a voice for women and queer people all over the world. Her stage presence is unmatched – high energy dancing, vocals that exceed her studio recordings, fabulous outfits and unmatched wit. There is no one like CMAT! Don’t worry if you are not attending Tramlines on the Sunday though – following the release of her upcoming album “Euro-Country”, CMAT will be touring the UK (and yes, there is a Sheffield date!).

Jack - John Cooper Clarke

T'Other Stage, Friday

My pick for this year's Tramlines is John Cooper Clarke, the Salford punk-poet who has been delivering rapid-fire northern wit for almost fifty years. He's shared billing with everyone from Reverend and the Makers to Joy Division, and his deft lyricism is a huge influence on the Arctic Monkeys. If you have two minutes and twenty seconds, have a listen to his signature track, 'Evidently Chickentown' (Linked here) - a profane, haunting lamentation of life in a poor town - and be amazed.

Dave - Jake Bugg

Sarah Nulty's Main Stage, Saturday

“In this trouble town, troubles are found…” Jake Bugg has previously headlined the second stage of Tramlines twice (in 2018 and 2021), but this year he’ll be bringing his catchy anthems to the Sarah Nulty Main Stage on Saturday evening before Franz Ferdinand and headliners The Reytons. Jake’s guaranteed to play all the hits such as “Lightning Bolt”, “Seen It All”, and “Trouble Town” (the theme tune of the BBC’s “Happy Valley”!), which are always huge singalong moments, as well as tracks from his brilliant sixth album “A Modern Day Distraction” which was released last October to acclaim. Jake is brilliant live, very chatty, and you’ll know more songs than you think (“Two Fingers” is always a great moment!), so check him out and get your voices nicely warmed up for the headliners!

Anneli - Red Rum Club

T'Other Stage, Sunday

My pick for who you should see at Tramlines this year is Red Rum Club. I first discovered them last November, when seeing Blossoms perform at Sheffield University’s Octagon. They were the support, though I was thinking that they needed the whole concert. They’re up there as one of the best supports I’ve seen, my favourite song was ‘Would You Rather Be Lonely?’ by the end of the night. They are amazing live performers, so if you like The Vaccines, Blossoms or The Wombats, then you should definitely check them out! Enhance your Tramlines experience with their upbeat indie and chill vibe. 

It was tough for us to pick out these acts from the stellar overall lineup. There are so many more artists that we can't wait to see but these are just a few examples of who we're excited to catch at this year's Tramlines Festival when it kicks off on Friday 25th July.